This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in stripping and removing exterior wood and deck stains. See here for more info about me.
Remove Old Deck Stain for Reapplication
Not all deck stain types and brands are compatible. Below are some tips when switching your brand or type of deck stain and how to prep for maximum results when reapplying a deck stain to your wood if you have used a different stain previously.
Deck Stain Peeling
Changing Brands of Deck Stain for Reapplication
If you are switching brands of transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid deck stains, you will need to strip and/or sand to remove the prior deck stain coatings. It does not matter if you are applying an oil-based stain over an old oil-based deck stain; you have to remove the prior coating if you change the deck stain brand. When you strip a deck stain, neutralize it with a wood deck brightener.
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Clean or Strip the Deck Stain? When to use the Same Deck Stain Brand for Reapplication
There is no need to remove the old transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid deck stain coating for reapplying unless the old stain has failed by wearing and peeling unevenly. Uneven wear may lead to uneven application. When reapplying the same deck stain and color brand, use a wood deck cleaner and a wood brightener for prep.
Recoat with Same Deck Stain Brand and Color
Reapplying a Solid Color Deck Stain?
In this case, it does not matter the brand or color. You can reapply over the top of the old solid color deck stain using these tips for prep: Reapplying A Solid Color Deck Stain.
Remove Solid Stain on Deck
Switching to Solid Color Deck Stain
If you are switching to a solid-color deck stain, you do not need to remove the old transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid deck stains. Ensure your deck is clean and free of dirt, mildew, or old peeling stain.
More Info on Prep for Deck Stains
Have a Deck Stain question? Ask in the comments below.
For more information, see our Deck Stain Facts section, which includes over 150 simple Q&A articles answering all your questions about deck staining, cleaning, and prep.
See My Removing a Deck Stain Video
Hello! We have a MASSIVE two tier deck, that we had built last summer. We have enjoyed the natural color so much that we wanted to stain it with a transparent stain, to co Ronie to w joy that light color wood a few more years. We contracted a company, agreed on clear, then they. Showed me pics of the Cabot CLear stain. I was out of town when they stained, and when I returned it was a hideous orange color that I really hate! I’ve seen it all around on decks, but I hate it! He admitted that he saw too many stains on my natural wood from leaves and the purple fruit droppings, so he decided to go from Cabot’s clear to a semi transparent with this tint I hate- without asking me. I still want a clear but, I could live with maybe a white wash stain. I don’t need a perfect look, I prefer more rustic. So now we are trying to figure out what to ask him to do to fix this. Should we remove all of the previous stain? Or is it easier to use solid darker stain over the weird orange- maybe dark brown or deep barn red, then let it dry and do a white wash? I just don’t see removing ALL the stain from the rails, the lattice the under boards, on both levels. Trying to find a way to fix without taking forever -I there is just SO much deck. I like the whitewash looks, I just hate this 🍊 orange stain! Help!
You cannot use a clear coating and have it prevent UV graying, it must be tinted:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
There is no such thing as a white wash look for deck stains. You will have to remove all and start over if you want to change color, unless you go with an opaque solid color. You may want to consider a two-toned deck:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/advantages-to-having-a-two-toned-deck/
Hello. I am in north/central Florida, I had an 180 sqft deck built about a year and a half ago. I sealed it with oil based Olympic Maximum clear sealer about 6 months ago, never used any kind of stain, just clear sealer. Now it’s looking gray and dull, theres is also some mold/mildew on some spots. How should I prep it for staining?
I’m not sure what product I’m going to apply once its prepped yet, i have to decide wether i want to use solid stain or semi transparent. What will require less prep work? And maintenance in the future. Thanks so much.
Strip and brighten for prep using the Restore A Deck kits. Best is to stain with a semi-transparent penetrating stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Hello,
Why use a wood brightener after using a wood deck cleaner like TSPe on existing semi-transparent waterproof stain if you are refreshing with a new coat of the same product. Isn’t a wood brightener for bare wood? How does it brighten a stain?
Also I have a 22′ x 20′ deck. The stain looks fine for about 95% of the surface except for a foot long on one board and a few small peeled spots smaller than my hand. Do I really need to sand the whole deck down to bare wood or can I just sand those parts and feathered into the good parts?
Thank you!
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-is-a-deck-brightener-and-why-use-one/
Your reply seems to be for bare wood and not this paragraph in your article where you are talking about reapplying on existing stain no stripping no sanding. Am I missing something on when to use a wood brightener?
[[[Using the Same Deck Stain Brand for Reapplication?
(No need to remove the old transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid deck stains coating for reapplying) unless the old stain has failed by wearing and peeling unevenly. Uneven wear may lead to uneven application. In most cases (when reapplying the same brand of deck stain, just use a wood deck cleaner and then a wood brightener for prep).]]]
You can also re-read the first paragraph of my initial question.
Thank you
You will have some bare spots after cleaning and it also neutralizes the cleaner so best to use it in most scenarios.